Inmate Pay: Corcan Training Programs

Warkworth prison, 1974 and all the cons are told to assemble in the prison yard. As we do that a small plane buzzes over head before darting off into the sun set. The warden explains that inmates can now work in a shop building sheet-metal bodies for crop dusting airplanes just like the one flying above. Those fortunate to be chosen to work can make an incentive pay of about 10 cents more than other prisoners.

Fast forward to 1991 (when this video was shot) and the maximum regular inmate pay at Joyceville prison is about $45/canteen period. The guys working in the metal shop making lockers earned around $300/canteen. They worked way more than eight hours/day and most times they did six days a week. Not every inmate wanted to work building airplanes in 1974 and not every con wanted to work the metal shop in Joyceville either. Many are satisfied with meager inmate pay and instead choose to supplement their “pay” by selling hobby crafts and art work.